Baby Yellow Bellied Slider Turtle Questions?

Question

We just got a baby yellow bellied slider, 10 gallon tank (for now) basking dock, rocks, heat lamp, UV-B lamp and food.

But for some reason he hides under the dock when the heat lamp is on. The pet store said to use the 50 watt heat lamp for his tank with approximately 2 inches of water. When lamp is off he comes right out and starts swimming when the lamp is off, what do you recommend?

Can anyone recommend a good website or book to pick up for some really good info on the turtles?

Answer 1

Hehe, I got a Yellow Belly in grade 2 for my birthday in a fish bowl with a rock and a bit of food.  You're certainly more informed than I was! My Franklin is now much bigger and healthier (13 years later...).  Congrats on trying to get the best things for your new turtle, though!!  One thing that's missing from your list (which is most likely because you forgot to list it, but I'll point it out just in case) is one of those dissolving calcium blocks. They're white and usually in cute little shapes, and you just throw one in the water to dissolve very slowly.  It releases calcium into the water to help with shell strength/growth.  Anyway, now on to your actual question.  It does sound like your turtle is hiding from the warmth.  I'd say, then, that it's too warm.  50 watts does sound a little like overkill to me.  Perhaps try a lower wattage bulb and see if he reacts more favourably to it.  Also, if you don't have one, a thermometer might be a good idea to make sure you're in an ok temperature range.  Some people argue that turtles don't even need heat lamps.  Since different sources give conflicting information, I compromised with getting a heat lamp, but putting it to one side of Franklin's tank, so if he found it too warm he could go to the cooler side (mind you that was easier in the ex-bathtub he lived in than a 10-gallon aquarium, but you get what I mean).  Some sources also say that you can forego the basking lamp altogether if you heat the water with a submersible heater.  I hope you found at least some of that helpful, and good luck with your new pet!